Electric fields are ubiquitous throughout the body, playing important roles in a multitude of biological processes including osteo-regeneration, cell signaling, nerve regeneration, cardiac function and DNA replication. An increased understanding of the role of electric fields in the body has led to the development of devices for biomedical applications that incorporate electromagnetic fields as an intrinsically novel functionality (e.g., bioactuators, biosensors, cardiac/neural electrodes, and tissues scaffolds). However, in the majority of the aforementioned devices an implanted power supply is necessary for operation, and therefore requires highly invasive procedures. Thus, the ability to apply electric fields in a minimally invasive manner to remote areas of the body remains a critical and unmet need. Here, we report on the potential of magnetoelectric-based composites to overcome this challenge. Magnetoelectric materials are capable of producing localized electric fields in response to an applied magnetic field, which the body is permeable to. Yet, the use of magnetoelectric materials for biomedical applications is just beginning to be explored. Here, we present on the potential of magnetoelectric materials to be utilized in biomedical applications. This will be presented alongside current state-of-the-art for in vitro and in vivo electrical stimulation of cells and tissues. We will discuss key findings in the field, while also identifying challenges, such as the synthesis and characterization of biocompatible magnetoelectric materials, challenges in experimental design, and opportunities for future research that would lead to the increased development of magnetoelectric biomaterials and their applications.

PMID: 32866097 DOI: 10.1109/TUFFC.2020.3020283

Piezoelectric and magnetoelectric scaffolds for tissue regeneration and biomedicine; A Review